An airport rail link would run through Highpoint shopping centre and connect with the Maribyrnong Defence site under the federal government’s preferred route for the long-awaited project.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was at Melbourne Airport last Thursday to promise $5 billion towards the rail line, more than 50 years after the project was first flagged.
But the route from Southern Cross station via tunnel to Highpoint shopping centre and then on to Tullamarine has been estimated to come with double the price tag of the Victorian government’s preferred $10 billion link via Sunshine.
The Highpoint route appeals to the federal government due to its proximity to the 127-hectare ex-defence site, a heavily contaminated parcel of land it is seeking to sell for the development of up to 6000 dwellings.
Mr Turnbull said in a statement the “city-shaping project” would slash travel times, cut congestion, boost the economy and create thousands of new jobs.
“We expect that the results of the business case process, which we initiated at the 2017-18 Budget, will soon provide a clearer picture on the best route, best mode of transport and cost of the project.”
Opposition Leader and Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten said the best route must be carefully considered.
Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said 2023 is the soonest any construction could start.
Advocacy group LeadWest has warned that Melbourne’s west must have a prominent voice in the planning process. LeadWest board member and Western Transport Alliance chair, Hobsons Bay councillor Jonathon Marsden, said the west must have direct access to any rail link between the CBD and the airport.
“The west is also a key connection point for transport into Victoria’s regions, so accessible and well-connected stops in the west will benefit the whole state.”
Greens transport spokesperson Janet Rice said Melbourne has been crying out for a rail link to the airport for decades.
“Public transport like Melbourne Airport Rail is an essential public service, and we need to make sure it’s built and run with the community’s needs put first, not as a privatised rail service with inflated ticket prices,” she said.
“When it comes to the best route to the airport, Malcolm Turnbull shouldn’t jump the gun and tell Victorians what we need. We need to ensure the route offers Melbourne the best connectivity and efficiency possible.”
